U.S. MNT U20’s on to Dallas Cup Semifinals

The U.S. MNT U20 side beat Mexican club UNAL Tigres 1-0 on Wednesday for their third straight Dallas Cup win, advancing to today’s semifinals behind a Rubio Rubin goal.

Tab Ramos’ Young Yanks topped Bracket C of the Gordon Jago Super Group with that perfect 3-0-0 record and will take on Brazil’s Fluminense squad at 7:00 Eastern time Friday night in the Cotton Bowl.

Fluminense claimed Bracket B with a 2-0-1 record, good for seven points. Tonight’s curtain raiser at 5:00 features Bracket A winners Coritiba (3-0-0), also a Brazilian club, against Argentine giants River Plate, the Bracket C runners-up with a 2-0-1 mark.

The Americans got Wednesday’s only goal just before the short whistle when Shaquell Moore fed Rubin, who took off on a snaky run through the Tigres defense before firing home an impressive goal.

The U.S. were unable to add to Rubio’s goal despite coming close several times, with Ben Spencer and the day’s captain, Paul Arriola, both pinging shots off of the crossbar.

Rubio Ruben shone once again for the young U.S. side.(ISI Photos/John Dorton)

Rubin also chipped in with a goal in the Americans opening game, a 3-2 come from behind victory over River Plate on Sunday afternoon. Ben Spencer was the opening day star for the U.S. with two goals, including a 79th minute penalty kick for the winner, converted after Kellyn Acosta was fouled.

The U.S. rolled to a far more comfortable victory in game two, downing German squad Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 on Monday, less than 24 hours after edging River Plate.

Philadelphia Union product Zach Pfeffer garnered the headlines with a goal and an assist, setting up Benji Lopez for the opening goal at the 43 minute mark, before giving the U.S. some breathing room, with a strike of his own just five minutes later.

Romain Gall set the final scoreline in the closing stages on a set up from Arriola.

Now, with three wins on the trot, including consecutive shutouts it is on to the semi’s, with the home team looking to advance to the Dallas Cup Championship game.

About Peter Nolan

Peter Nolan is a staff writer for the GotSoccer Magazine, covering MLS and other US leagues, He's GotSoccer's chief National Team Correspondent.